posted 9th May 2013, 4:37 AM

author comments

9th May 2013, 4:37 AM

The Portia caste is very purposeful in their role. They are widely reviled but that is also part of their role- they play the boogeyman for the clan. At the same time, they have no particular relevance for anyone outside of it. Understandably, they are very few in number and always solitary. They don't try to attack anyone they think is obviously stronger than them.

It is also worth noting that most of the other barbarian tribes do not have an equivalent to this caste. In any event, today Ahab learns the Death Clan can be severe with their own kind as a practice.

10th May 2013, 3:48 AM

Exactly, GG. When the young Death Clan (as a group) are confronted with these specialists during the trial and cannot simply avoid them or defeat them, they wind up sacrificing one of their own to delay it while they continue on. The importance behind this is for a clan of assassins; the objective is more important than the self.

It's worth noting Portias are only permitted to attack young Death Clan during these trials. Otherwise, Portias are only ambush lone idle Death Clan that are fully grown, sort of a way to keep up their communal training. These encounters don't necessarily result in anyone's demise, but it is a possibility.

This caste was based on an actual spider as linked here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portia_spider